PHILIPS RECEIVES FDA OK FOR NEW IQON SPECTRAL CT SCANNER

At RSNA 2014 Philips announced FDA 510(k) approval for the one of a kind IQon Spectral CT scanner. It’s the world’s first device that is capable of distinguishing between X-ray photons of high and low energies, like a prism that splits up white light into the colors of the rainbow. The unique device offers spectral diagnostic information in a single scan without affecting workflow and patient throughput.

"Spectral imaging has the potential to change the way clinicians practice radiology in the future," said Jacob Sosna, President of the Israeli Radiology Society and Chairman of the Department of Radiology at Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, who worked with Philips on the development of the product. "A recent study with Philips IQon Spectral CT revealed enhanced diagnosis in up to 70 percent of cases."

What sets the IQon Spectral CT apart from the rest of the CT machines on the market? It obtains a grey scale anatomical image and simultaneously, a post-contrast image, rather than a pre- and post-contrast, essentially cutting the radiation does in half. Also, with Philips’ introduction of Iterative Model Reconstruction (IMR), the dose can be further reduced, without sacrificing image quality. Because the IQon can detect spectral changes in tissue composition, it could help quantify calcium, iodine and uric acid concentration in various tissues. It can also identify the nature of kidney stones and the composition of crystal and mineral deposits.

This is a significant improvement over dual-energy CT which requires a higher radiation dose and is more sensitive to movement artifacts. "The IQon Spectral CT represents our commitment to leading a new, higher standard for medical imaging that is driven by clinical insights and focused on the patient experience," said Gene Saragnese, CEO Imaging Systems, Philips Healthcare. "Delivering an additional level of spectral information without impacting clinician workflow is vital for confident diagnoses that can significantly add value to help improve patient care."